Method of casting separable fasteners



Jam. 8, 1946. H. MORIN METHOD OF CASTING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed May 23, 1942 INVENTOR Lou/5 MOE/N ATTORNEY Patented Ian.'8, 1946 METHOD OF CASTING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Davis Marinsky, Bronx, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1942, Serial No. 444,191

7 3 Claims. This invention relates to separable ffasteners employing stringers adapted to be coupled and uncoupled. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of simultaneously casting two or more links or scoops of a fastener of this kind upon a tape or other-mounting and a core element and further in stripping or otherwise removing the core element from the castings. The

novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing,

in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each 01' the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating the method of forming a pair of links or scoops on a mounting member. I

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two of the scoops shown in Fig. 1 indicating the core removed and showing the form of gate employed.

Fig. 3 is a side and sectional view of a part of a stringer showing another type of link or scoop and indicating the method of producing the same.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of link or scoop. I

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the type of gate employed in casting end links.

Fig. 6 is a view similar'to Fig. 5 illustrating the method of casting a multiplicity of links; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the spacing between successive groups of castings.

In the die casting of links or scoops of separable fasteners of the well known kind employing stringers and a slider movable along the stringers to couple and uncouple the same, it has.

been the common practice to cast the links or scoops one at a time and this has been essential in order to form the male and female interlocking portions on the scoops and particularly the undercut female portion. Many attempts have been made to die cast a multiplicity of links or scoops in forming complete stringer lengths but such attempts have been impractical and inoperstive or have presented such outstanding difll: culties as to result in the .production of stringers which were not commercially practical.

After long and careful study and experimentation, the desired objective, namely casting of two or more similar links or scoops, has been accomplished in a commercially practical manner by utilizing a common core element to form the undercut or female coupling portion of all of the links and either stripping-this core element from each group of links and utilizing the same for I casting the next successive group, or in using a separate core element for each group of castings and afterwards removing the same from the links or scoops, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to diagrammatically illustrate the general method employedin forming castings of the kind'under consideration, I have indicated in Fig. 1 one-half of the die Ill in which is formed j one-half of the two similar cavities or impressions I l shaped to form a. pair of links l2 as well as the gate l3 through which metal from an injector nozzle I4 is pressure injected into the cavities II. The ends are also provided with recesses or cavities l5 for the reception of the mounting member or tape [6 and with another cavity H for the reception of the core element 18.

The method of forming the pairs of castings l2 will be readily understood from the foregoing and the following description. When both parts ofthe die Ill are in open position, the mounting member i6 is arranged between adjacent surfaces thereof, as is also the core element l8. The die parts are then brought into firm engagement with each other and at this moment heated casting material, which may be metallic or plastic, is pressure injected through the nozzle l4, in forming the castings l2 simultaneously on the mounting member I6 and around the core element l8 and filling the gate l3. The dies are then opened;

the core element i8 and tape l6 are moved downwardly bringing the first cast pair of links I2 into the positionindicated at IS in Fig. 1, after which the core element I8 is stripped from the castings, moved up to its original starting position, after which the dies are again closed and encircle half of the core element i8, note Fig. 2

v of the drawing. I

The above operation of casting pairs of links or scoops on the mounting member I6 is repeated until such time as a predetermined series of links have been formed on the mounting member, after which the mounting member may be indepen'd-- ently fed to produce a wide spacing thereon to space successive series of links informing what is termed stringer or chain lengths as is known -.tures 32 are formed thro in the art.

Each link I 2 is of -the same construction and comprises upwardly and downwardly extending triangular projections 24 adapted to enter corresponding recesses 25 in links of an opposed stringer when the stringers are coupled together. On the outer surface of each link, the core ele-. ment 18 forms an arch-shaped recess 28 which will engage correspondingly formed projecting;

elements 21 arranged in'the recessed portions 25 of the opposed stringer links. In other words, the links or scoops II are what I term double acting type, both upper and lower surfaces being of identical construction which permits coupling of the links by a slider movable in both directions on the stringers. In other words, it is immaterial which way the slider is positioned on the stringer to produce the coupling engagement and, of course,- the same is true for the uncoupling of the stringers. This construction further adapts Y the stringers for the use of 'two sliders operatin on a single pair of stringers or chains.

At this point, it is well to bring out the distinct c advancement in the art which is accomplished by the conception of the method to produce let us say, for example, two links or scoops in one casting operation. Heretofore, individually cast links or scoops have been commercially produced at the rate of approximately 350 castings a minute, although higher speed castings-have also been produced. But on the basis of 350 per minute, it will readily appear that by simultaneously casting two links or scoops in each casting operation, the production has been increased one The gate 4| of Fig. 4

. apparent that in Fig. i the core element is dis posed outwardly of the projecting elements of the hundred per cent. In like manner, by casting I three links or scoops at one time thisproduction will be increased two hundred per cent. From a practical standpoint the'size of the link or scoop will govern to some degree the practicability in casting, according t the teachings in Fig; 1

links. For example, with the smaller size links a larger number of links may be formed in each casting operation, by this I mean, in the process where a complete stringer length or chain is made up of a series of multiple, castings. Where short stringer lengths are required, all

of the links of the complete stringer length may be cast in one operation, as more specifically described hereinafter. 0n the other hand, where extremely long stringers are required, these long .of the drawing, the predetermined'number-of lengths maybe cast in multiple groups, and where the groups are comparatively long, asingle core element may be used each stringer length.

With the construction shown in the core element I8 is arrangedupon-the outer for all groups on Fig. 3 of the drawing another method whichcomprises arranging'a core element 28 inwardly .of the outer surfaces ,2! of a pair of links or scoops 30 and centrallyxof theprojecting portions II which are equivalent to the portions 24. With this type of construe on, sockets or aper-' Figs. 1 and 2,

surface of the links or scoops to'form-the resulting recesses or undercut sockets 26. Instead of x this method of procedure, I have illustrated in what is generally known as the 7 tion.

11 with the recesses 26. With this method of procedure, the gate It simply has two extensions 30 which are disposed on the surfaces 29 of the links. At this time, it, will be well to mention that the gates are removed from the links in the production of the resulting fastener stringers in :In Fig. 4 of the drawing is shown another method of procedure wherein the core element '31 forms 'inthe links 38 apertures 39 which are arranged inwardly of projecting portions 4|] disposed on upper and lower surfaces of the links or scoops outwardly of the apertures. With this construction, it will be apparent that the scoops. In Fig. 3 it is disposed centrally of the projecting elements of the scoops; whereas in Fig. 4 it is arranged inwardly of the projecting elements. These illustrations are simply to show general adaptations of the invention without limitation to the particular structure of each link or scoop.

, In Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated the general form of gate which may be utilized in simultaneously casting three links or scoops. In this figure, 42 represents the gate which has three branches 43 leading to the resulting three castings, partially indicated at 44, these castings being wall fonmed on a single core element 45. It will thus appear that'if four castings are formed, four branches will beprovided in the 'gate instead of three.

. In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated a short section of a complete ate arrangement which would be utilized in forming a large number of links or scoops or. a

complete stringer length. The gate in this construction will have an admission portion 48 opening into a large distributing portion 41 from which there will be a multiplicity of independent branches 48 leading to the individual links or scoops .49 all arranged on a core element. 50.

In forming complete stringer lengths which are comparatively short, it would be desirable to form these complete stringer lengths on individual core elements 5i as is indicated in Fig. '7 of the draw- 7 ing, the elements being spaced apartvat-the wide spacing portions I2 of the tape or mounting memberwhich subdivide the complete. stringer lengths from each other. For example, the stringer length ,diagrammatieally shown in Fig. 7, is

spaced from the end stringer lengths 54, I.

1 Where very long strin er lengths are required, a long strand maybe used as the core element ii and this strand will be continuous through'the multiple groups of castings to form the complete stringer length and if. desired may continue or bridge across the spacing between the long the links or scoopswhich are adapted to receive projecting couplings 4 33 centrally of the recess portions 34' thereof.-

In'other words, with this type of link the apertures or sockets 32 receive the projections 33 of the links or scoops of the. opposed stringer when the stringers are coupled to ether. in the same I manner as the engagement of the proiections stringer lengths. With this type of construction,

it would be desirable to employ a core element having .flexible characteristics.

In someinstances and particularly where the core element is used as a means for feeding groups oflinks, for example, as is referred to in Fig. 1 of the drawing, it is preferred that the core element comprise a relatively rigid body'prefertrimming operaconsideration of the.

ably of metal. In all other instances, however, the core element may comprise, for example, an

elementmaycomprisea flexible and yet substantially firm strand of any type or kind so long as it is possible to strip or otherwise remove the core element from the resulting castings. In some instances a very low melting point metal may be used and in other instances materials capable of being chemically or otherwise removed would also be practical. quired is to .use a strand-like element for the core which will have a surface which will provide free removal of the element from the resulting casting without marring or obstructing the casting.

In forming complete stringer lengths on a long mounting member, it will be understood that means will be provided to feed the mounting member to successively bring spaced sections thereon in position between the multiple impression dies employed for forming on the mounting member sections the complete stringer length. On the other hand, where the complete lengths are made from series of group castings, the mounting member will be fed to bring the groups of'castings into proper spaced relationship tostandpoint of production cost.

In all instances, the dies employed will be cooled in accordance with known methods and no detailshowing is required in this respect as it is quite old in the art of forming pressure die castings.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that j my improved method, in addition to materially speeding up the production of products 'of the kind under consideration, in a more specific sense may be said to comprise the steps of simultaneously forming two or more castings and by the use of a single core element, the socket of female portions of the links or scoops for the reception of projecting coupling elements which retain the coupled links or scoops against separation. Furthermore, two or more identical link or scoop structures are formed.

It is also preferred that each part of the die include an auxiliary stripping element 56, as seen in Fig. 1, which will engage the lower link of the pair of links in removing the core. In

stripping long core elements from a multiplicity links and tape to the position I9, the dies are partially closed. v

In casting a plurality of links or scoops, it is, of course, not essential that these scoops be formed directly upon a tape or other mounting and may be simply cast on the long core element which will maintain the castings in desired spaced The only precaution that is re-.

endless strand of wire, along which may be formed the successive group castings or this core Having fully described myinvention what I- claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is:

1. The method of casting a plurality of separable fastener scoops having male and female coupling portions, which comprises arranginga mounting member and a core element between relatively movable dies having spaced scoop cavities therein, with said member and element extending within and through all of said spaced scoop cavities, said element adapted to form recesses or female coupling portions on said scoops extending completely through and opening through opposed surfaces of said scoops, supporting the dies in firm-engagement with each other and upon said member and element, then presresulting stringer length having a predetermined number of die cast scoops spaced longitudinally of one edge thereof. a

2. The method of casting a plurality of separable faste'nerscoops having male and female coupling portions, which comprises arranging a mounting member and a core element between relatively movable dies having spaced scoop cavities therein, with said member and element extending within and through all of said spaced scoop cavities, said element adapted to form recesses or female coupling portions on said scoops extending completely through and opening through opposed surfaces of said scoops, supporting the dies in firm engagement with each other and upon said member and element, then pressure injecting casting material into the ,spaced.cavities of the dies to form a predetermined number of individual die cast scoops on spaced sections of said mounting member and on said'core element, then separating the dies and removing the cast scoops including the mounting member and core element from the dies, and then removing said core element from the scoops to form the resulting mounting member with the predetermined number of spaced scoops on one edge portion thereof.

3. The method of casting a plurality of separable fastner scoops having male and female coupling portions, which comprises arranging a mounting member and a core element between relatively movable dies having spaced scoop cavities therein, with said member and element extending within and through all of said spaced scoop cavities, said element adapted to form recesses or female coupling portions on said scoops extending completely through and opening through opposed surfaces of said scoops, supporting the dies in firm engagement'with each other and upon saidmember and element, then pressure injecting casting material into the spaced cavities of the dies to form a predetermined number of individual die cast scoops on spaced sections of said mounting member and on said core element, then separating the dies and re- ,moving the cast scoops including the mounting "member and core element from the dies, then removing said core element from the scoops to form the resulting mounting member with the predeing operation, and spacing adjacent groups of scoops to form stringer lengths with equal spacing of all scoops in each stringer length.

LOUIS H. MORIN. 

